South Parkland FASD Collaborative successfully bringing FASD awareness to their community.

On Friday, January 10, 2020, the South Parkland FASD Collaborative and the Aboriginal Head Start Programs in Dauphin, Duck Bay, and Swan River joined together to organize an FASD training offered by the Canadian FASD Mentoring Project. This training was designed with Head Start Program staff in mind, however was it open to others attending as well.

The Canadian FASD Mentoring Project’s purpose was to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) by providing workshops to Aboriginal Head Start sites across Canada. Trained FASD mentors from across Canada delivered the workshops. The workshops were designed to share information about alcohol, pregnancy, FASD, and strategies for working with individuals who have FASD and their families. The project has now concluded. The culturally appropriate workshops goals include increase knowledge about FASD prevention, diagnosis, and support strategies; decrease stigma about FASD and alcohol use; increase understanding about trauma and support trauma-informed care; and build capacity to address FASD and support healthy families in communities.

About 30 participants braved the cold and came together to attended the one-day workshop lead by mentors Danna Ormstrup and her colleague Christy, both from Alberta. We were a mix of Head Start staff, parents, and service providers. All of us felt the day was a valuable use of our time as we listened, shared, and participated in various learning activities.

Way to go, Southland!

Submitted by Twyla Gilroy for the South Parkland FASD Collaborative